Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 1

751G.5 MSP/2–1054: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at Berlin¹

top secret
priority niact

Washington, February 10, 1954—2:58 p.m.

Tedul 38. Limited distribution. Ref Dulte 54.² Supplementing immediately preceding message,³ we here are fully aware of French sensitivities but we nevetheless believe that some form of understanding with French Government will be necessary regarding US participation in advisory capacity in Indochina. Following quotation from Bidault’s letter of Sep 29, 1953 to Ambassador Dillon regarding the additional $385 million in aid is pertinent: “The French Govt will continue to facilitate exchanges of information and views on a continuing basis between French and US military authorities and will take into account the views expressed by the latter with respect to the development and carrying out of the French strategic plans without in any way of course detracting from exclusive French responsibility for adoption and execution thereof.”⁴ Perhaps it might be well to approach French on basis of above in order to reach some understanding regarding MAAG Indochina which would permit expanded strength including planning staff and with authority to advise and assist in training, etc.

We are fully aware of impracticability and indeed undesirability in view French sensitivities of spelling out all that we would hope expanded military mission would accomplish but believe terms of reference should be adequate to permit competent and able mission chief to make contribution of kind envisaged.

Smith

1. Drafted by Bonsal of PSA.
2. Dated Feb. 9, p. 1025.
3. Supra.
4. For the exchange of letters which constituted the U.S.-French supplementary aid agreement on Indochina, Sept. 29, 1953, see p. 812.